Study Tips from Memes

At first glance, this blog post appears to be fluff put forth to get a chuckle or laugh from you. There is a serious side to it, though. Social media should be a subject of keen and intense interest for all financial professionals, be they out working or still at college. Opinions, thoughts, ideas can go viral in this social media world. Memes are one such channel for these opinions, thoughts and ideas.

In this blog post I exhibit a collection of memes on studying for tests. Working professionals probably remember taking their own exams. Current professors and students are now in crunch time just prior to final exams.

As defined by Merriam-Webster, a meme is “an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture.” In 2012, many of us think of it as an image or video passed from one social media user to another.

The study of memes is important, because memes open a window into the popular culture. Memes that spread quickly reveal what a large number of people think or believe.

I am an accounting professor, and what students think is of interest to me. I performed Google image searches on key words related to studying. Google results are structured to reveal the most clicked on images first. All images presented in this blog post are thought to be in the public domain.

Most of these memes convey what older generations have called gallows humor. Those who are about to be hanged are somehow able to find humor in their situation.

A consistent theme running through the various memes is that studying is painful.

Why does studying feel like a never-to-be-fulfilled resolution?

Sometimes, failing to study receives no sympathy.

Does this meme help to motivate?

Do threats from friends and associates help motivate?

Well, perhaps the promise of rewards to come will help motivate. There is always hope, even if it seems the system is rigged.

Is Emma Watson a positive motivator?

Several memes examine the issue of how students study for a test.

There are several thoughts on what is studying. It’s not surprising that people have different views on it.

From some student’s dictionary:

Pandas agree.

But it doesn’t work for some students.

There are downsides to studying. Sometimes the strangest things are remembered.

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3 Responses

It’s so true! So many students are so overwhelmed that they fail to properly absorb information even when it feels like they’ve been studying for hours!! Pacing yourself and having a decent schedule so you can get the sleep you need is essential!

One of the worst things that can happen is staying up all night before an exam to study and then sleeping right through it. This is why you need to pace yourself before an exam. If at all possible study a little bit the days before the exam and then the night before, budget in time for sleep. So maybe you only stay up until 1 am and get a good 5-6 hours of sleep before the exam. You’ll be better rested and better able to concentrate by not pulling an all-nighter.